01. Who are you ?
Hi, there! I am Marius Copel, I was born and raised in Bucharest, and currently residing a bit also in Roma, Italy, traveling and working on some cross-disciplinary projects. Besides musical and visual artist, I work also as artistic director for one of the very few political film festivals in the world. I guess I was involved in the music world since a little kid, one way or another, as this was a fundamental vehicle for my perpetual daydreaming process. So I can define myself as an explorer, both in the physical and the unseen worlds, trying to bring to the surface and (maybe) create something relevant from a mysterious void.
02. What are you listening actually ?
Here I can start a never-ending list. I guess I discover a new artist that I really like every other day. It is a very eclectic territory for me. I might listen to the masters in the same session that I listen to some very fresh newcomers. Still, I try not to exagerate, and have rather short and relevant auditions, that can motivate or inspire me to do my work, in my own way. Speaking about the big names, my playlist ranges from Brian Eno to Prodigy, from GAS to Tangerine Dream, from Sonic Youth or Mogwai to Ben Frost, from Chemical Brothers to Air or Nils Frahm. A really wide range for my plate.
3. How you came to music ?
The music of the 80’s had a lasting influence on me, especially the movie soundtracks of the era and the electronic/new wave music. All was VHS based, with faded image and low sound. I really started to play with synths and visiting professional music studios in my mid-teens, creating my first experiments. This state of being was never going to leave me since. First was the electronic music, then I got involved into hip hop for a short time. And again techno, post rock and ambient. Now I try to mix everything that I feel close to my heart in a (hopefully) distinct blend of personal sound. From 2015 I fully dedicated myself to this way of living. So it is kind of a decades-long meandering journey but I honestly feel like this is just initiating.
4. What gear do you use in studio/live ?
I work with a lot of VSTs and midi controllers. My DAW of choice is Ableton, always. I really love it. I also have analog instruments, electric guitars, but I heavily process their sound in the act. I also wish to involve some ancient wind instruments in the mix, soon, along with classical orchestra strings. Anyway, what I care about is the final feel and state, not the way I produce the piece of music, the instruments or the manner I control them. I truly believe that the creative and performing circumstances are unique and rather enigmatic processes for every artist.
5. Do you have an anecdote or a memory to tell us about your music ?
Some of the best sound artefacts that appear in my releases are there because I make a quick and (surprising for me) choice. I love to introduce in my almost finished musical piece a recording that I randomly made. Without overthinking it. I go with the intuition. For example, a while ago I have recorded in Tokyo a noisy but very expressive train level crossing. A glimpse of a very concrete industrial soundscape. I decided to add it at the beginning of the last track of an album, that was dreamy and warm, and the piece suddenly turned more deep and weighty. It just opened a new and wider picture. I was very happy with this unexpected happening.
6. Which artist would you dream of working with?
There are so, so many. It is a very difficult question for every artist, I guess. But I will give a quick answer closely related to the music that moved me last night, while watching a film. I would love to create a track with the amazing Max Richter. Overlapping my electronic, fluid and rugged sound with his neo-classical beautiful vastness. Generally speaking, I believe that collaborations can bring to reality some very unexpected and meaningful works, that could only be born like this, when artists meet and create with all the passion poured in.
7. What are your plans for the future?
I’ve got a new live act designed that I started to showcase. It is in continuous development. Also, I will release a new full album and a separate EP, in the following period. Artistically, I want to be in places that I only explore now in my imagination. I am talking about materialising my creative intentions that are in this moment just a mystery somewhere in my mind. I am planning a series of shows that will involve also other fellow artists, that will be called “Cinematica.Live”. An audiovisual performance ground for dreamers and doers.
Thanks so much for the interview!
ARTIST LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/electronsinslowmotion
https://www.instagram.com/mariuscopel/
https://electronsinslowmotion.bandcamp.com
Photo : Cristian Barcan
